I specialize in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering.
My professional expertise is in geotechnical investigation, analysis,
and design related to solid and hazardous waste disposal sites (landfills)
and static and seismic stability of earth embankments.
I started my career working for a major geoenvironmental consulting firm,
where I was involved in the design and construction of landfills in several states.

My research interest is in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. I am
currently involved in a study sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF)
to understand the effects of surfac blasts on underground structures and evaluate
various methods to mitigate such damage. Both numerical analyses and physical
model tests using a geotechnical centrifuge are part of this study. In a prior study,
also sponsored by the NSF, I was able to measure strains induced on a model
underground tunnel or a pipeline due to blasts at the ground surface, using
geotechnical centrifuge modeling techniques.
I have also conducted research into various aspects of landfill design, such as
geosynthetics, slope stability, seismic response, settlement, and contaminant migration.

I am part of an ongoing study (also funded by the NSF) in which we are attempting
to characterize the effects of an earthquake on layered soil below ground surface,
using instruments embedded in the ground.

I teach geotechnical engineering courses at the undergraduate (Junior and Senior)
level , as well as at the graduate (M.S.) level.
I also teach introductory engineering courses to Freshmen and engineering mechanics
(e.g., Statics) courses to the Sophomores.

I also take a lot of interest in issues related to engineering education and preparing
students for the engineering profession. I recently served on the Body of Knowledge
(2nd Edition) Committee organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
I am the Faculty Advisor the ASCE Student Chapter at Manhattan College.